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The Magical Question: "What are your weaknesses? By Cindy Cannon

11/26/2010

1 Comment

 
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We want to run as fast as we can when asked that question. Why is that?

We do not like to confront our fears. No one wants to be critiqued especially when we critique ourselves.

Face it, if you are interviewing, you are going to be asked this question. Are you prepared? What are you going to say?  

You want to take a negative situation/task and turn it into a positive one. IE: impatient/patient, late/early etc.    

Think of things that you don’t like to do and turn it into a positive or think of what you think you can improve on and say what the opposite of that is.

For example: I am impatient

If I am applying for a sales job, I can say I am impatient. My answer would be, “I want the sale to happen sooner than it is ready to happen. I do everything I can to close the sale and while I am waiting, I start another sale to keep the process going.”

 If I were interviewing for an Administrative Assistant job, that would not be the right thing to say. You could say “I can be impatient when I am waiting for certain items that I need from my boss. I can’t go any further in my project until I get the necessary information so what can I do to help her get it? What I’ve done is be proactive with my boss to see if I can get the information sooner.” See how that is turned from a negative situation into a positive one?

Things to remember when talking about your weaknesses.

Talk about an area that once was a weakness that now you have improved. Make sure it isn’t anything that has to do with your current job unless it is for sure a plus and will be a benefit to you. 

 1) Always turn your weakness into a positive

2) Never ever say anything that has to do with what your new job entails you doing in the future

3) Do not say I can’t think of anything

If you’re prepared you won’t feel like running when asked the question, “What are your weaknesses?”

This article only has a few examples of what will work with the question, "What are your weaknesses." There are many other ways to answer it as well. Keep a watch for more information to come in the book, "Insider Secrets To Interviewing."

Any questions: To write comments please go to the contact us tab. We would like to hear from you!

Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires. She may be reached at cindy@gmgweb.com or (770) 945-5445 EXT 300

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
Reprint Permission Granted* - See details below

*Permission is granted to reprint this article provided that the bio on the side and contact information are included in the publication and a copy of the reprinted article or a link to it is emailed to cindy@gmgweb.com



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The 5 Answers You Better Have...Every Company Every Interview....

11/3/2010

2 Comments

 
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What 5 questions does every company ask?

What are your strengths?
What are your weakness?
Why are you leaving your last position?
Tell me about yourself?
Why do you want to work here?

I am going to share with you insight on all of these questions but not all in one blog. This blog is one out of a series of 5.

The famous question: “What are your Strengths?” Do you know that in my 25 years of recruiting I have never heard anyone say I can‘t think of any. Everyone rambles off 3 to 6 words and then shuts up. For example: What are your strengths? “I am outgoing, energetic and enthusiastic.” What does that mean.... so you’re outgoing, what good is that to me and why is that important to the job that you are interviewing for?

Tell a short story so they can see a picture in their head of what you are saying to them. For example; what are my strengths...One of my strengths is I am a good team player. To give you an example, last week I worked on a project with my co-workers. We were behind and I was finished my part so I asked my team members how I could help. We did what was necessary and made the deadline.

1.     Make the answer less than 30 seconds if you can.

2.     Repeat back the question to show you were listening.

3.     When answering, paint a picture so the person can feel connected to you.

4.     Try and use examples that bring in points about the actual job that is open. For example… On the actual job that I was applying for, they wanted a team player that can work well with others. In my answer, I painted that picture for them.

5.     Have strong eye contact and smile.

6.     Use your body when you answer. Sit forward, talk with urgency, use gestures while speaking.

This is only one of many ways to answer the question, “what are your strengths.” It is a start.

 
Any questions: To write comments, go to the top of this blog and click on the “comments” tab.

Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires. She may be reached at cindy@gmgweb.com or (770) 945-5445 EXT 300

2010- Cindy Cannon – All rights reserved. ©
Reprint Permission Granted* - See details below

*Permission is granted to reprint this article provided that the bio on the side and contact information are included in the publication and a copy of the reprinted article or a link to it is emailed to cindy@gmgweb.com


 
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    Cindy Cannon, principal of Growth Management Group, provides career assessment and advancement advice and assistance derived from 25 years of recruitment experience in over 2,000 hires.

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